Roman emperors wore red shoes. In the Byzantine empire, it was a part of the imperial insignia. Rulers deemed inferior to the Eastern emperor were not admitted in Byzantine territory if they didn't swap red shoes for something else. Probably, red shoes for popes were meant to signify ultimate sovereignty without being subject to any temporal authority.

His shoes were definitely red, a very dark, fine read leather loafer. When my mom returned from Rome several years ago, where she had an audience with him, one of the first things she said was, "His shoes are RED!"

Here is a link to my mom's group -- you can see His Holiness' red shoes pretty clearly. (My mom is the one in the red sweater.)

His shoes were definitely red, a very dark, fine read leather loafer. When my mom returned from Rome several years ago, where she had an audience with him, one of the first things she said was, "His shoes are RED!"

Here is a link to my mom's group -- you can see His Holiness' red shoes pretty clearly. (My mom is the one in the red sweater.)